this morning i woke up longing for my brother's old house in ann arbor where i spent almost a month two years ago may. i had just quit my job in the middle of the year, was in the beginning of a long and difficult personal journey, and was sure only of my need for rest and love.

we would wake up to tea on the porch and dewey mornings. the colors of east coast spring are vibrant like hunger after winter. those yellow bushes remind me of high school, and tulips come up without having to be watered. abigail was a young climber back then, just coming into her personality, and she and i walked to the park daily, singing songs while mariah tried to rest.

i loved the fact that they were on the edge of cozy downtown. that the streets were lined with old homes well cared for, and sidewalks where people pass by. i loved the parks, many and green with benches for resting and lots of sticks for tess to chase. i loved the trees tall for sitting under, and the feeling of picnics in the air. picnics backed and carried from home. i loved the smell of earth.

and i love my brother and his wife, and wish today i could walk to them with my park blanket in my backback.